經過了非常有節慶氣息的(festive) 十二月後,英國媒體常常會討論一些新年要做的事,最常見的就是新年新希望 (New Year’s resolution)。
人們不只需要訂下新希望 (make a New Year’s Resolution),還需要保持新年新希望(keep a New Year’s Resolution)。
一般常見的新年新希望為下列:
● Exercise more
● Lose weight
● Get organized (2022年1-4月雅思口說有類似題目)
● Learn a new skill or hobby
● Live life to the fullest
● Save more money / spend less money
● Quit smoking
● Spend more time with family and friends
● Travel more
● Read more
根據 Statista,英國2022年前八名新年新希望為:
1. To exercise more
2. To eat healthier
3. To lose weight
4. To spend more time with family and friends
5. To live more economically
6. To cut down on alcohol
7. To spend less time on social media
8. To quit smoking
除了新年新希望,一月也很流行一些活動,像是Dry January 或者 Veganuary。
Dry January 就是一整個月不喝酒的意思。
通常十二月時會有很多與家人、朋友的聚餐,整個月下來,一般英國人都喝了不少酒,也花了不少錢。到了一月,一部分是為了健康,一部分是為了錢包,許多人會選擇整個月不喝酒。
Veganuary 字面上就是 Vegan + January,劍橋字典的解釋為:an event organized in the month of January each year that encourages people to eat vegan food and use vegan products (= not consisting of or containing animal products, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese, or leather)
也就是一整個月不吃、甚至不用任何動物製品:包括蛋、起司、與皮製品。
近幾年由於環保意識與動物保育觀念興起,英國素食(vegetarian)甚至純素 (vegan)人數增加許多。要在超市買到純素食品,也非常容易。